WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Plenty of smiles and tears filled Capital One Arena Sunday, as some of the biggest names in figure skating performed during “Legacy on Ice.”
The benefit was held to honor the 67 people who perished in the Jan. 29 midair collision over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport (DCA).
“It’s something very important to us as skater, and for all of us in the community,” said reigning world champion, Ilia Malinin, of Vienna, Va.
Malinin’s performance closed out the program and brought a standing ovation for the person who organized the event.
“Every time we step on the ice, we’ll always think of them. Every time we’re competing, they’ll always be in our hearts,” Malinin said.
Current and former championship skaters paid tribute to the 28 members of the figure skating community who perished when the American Airlines and Army Blackhawk helicopter collided.
Sunday’s benefit, hosted by Monumental Sports Foundation, raised money for the families of the victims and the first responders and aviation professionals who responded to the tragedy.
“The performances were amazing,” said Tara Nadel of Fairfax, Va. “It was amazing to see community coming together.”
The program lasted just over two hours and was shown to a national television audience.
“A moving tribute to the love and the joy and the camaraderie that this tight knit community has,” said Renee Yancey, of Fairfax, Va.
U.S. Figure Skating is not ruling out a similar benefit following the March 25 national championships in Boston, Ma.
Monumental Sports, which owns the arena, co-hosted the program and donated $200,000 to the relief effort.
